5 Common Culprits of Shoulder Pain

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, in 2006, approximately 7.5 million people went to the doctor’s office for shoulder pain, especially sprains and strains of the upper arms and shoulder.  As a matter of fact, more than 4.1 million of these visits were for rotator cuff injuries. Shoulder injuries most often are the result of athletic activities that require repetitive, overhead motions.  Whatever the cause, our team at Texas Spine & Sports Therapy Center is here to help you prevent shoulder injuries and treat them when they occur.

Diagnosing Your Shoulder Pain

The part of your body referred to the “shoulder” is a combination of joints comprised of tendons and muscles that support the range of motion of your arm. Because these joints are used repetitively, throughout your day, they can fall victim to a wide range of injuries, or pain-inducing conditions. Depending on the type of activities you are involved in, your shoulder joints may be at risk. Instability, impingement, inflammation, arthritis, and fractures are five of the most common sources of shoulder pain.  Shoulder pain can manifest as a constant, recurring pain or a temporary pain. Regardless of the type of pain you are experiencing, don’t delay seeking pain management and treatment when it strikes. Ignoring the signals your body is sending you that something is amiss can result in more serious issues or long-term problems.  A member of our Texas Spine and Therapy Center team can help you with medical diagnosis and treatment of your shoulder pain.

Instability

Instability is a common term when talking about shoulder pain.  Simply put, instability is a result of the shoulder being displaced from its normal position either through a sudden injury, repetitive action or an underlying condition. The risk of instability is dislocation of one of the joints of your shoulder or tearing of a tendon or soft tissue.  Patients suffering from instability will have difficulty raising their arm without pain. It is common to feel that the shoulder is slipping out of place. When caught early, instability problems can be treated to avoid more serious issues that can only be corrected with surgery.  If you are suspicious that you are suffering from an unstable joint, don’t delay treatment.

Impingement

Impingement is a condition when the tendons or bursa in the shoulder collide with or are encroached by the bones of the shoulder. This condition is the result of repeated rubbing of the shoulder muscles against the top part of the shoulder blade (acromion). Patients that are involved in activities that use frequent overhead arm motions are at more risk.  Impingement causes inflammation in the shoulder and disabling pain. Treatment should be sought early to avoid serious injury. If you are involved in tennis, swimming or other overhead sports you are at risk for impingement. Other risk factors are bone and joint abnormalities.

Inflammation

The most common forms of inflammation that cause shoulder pain are tendinitis and bursitis. Tendinitis of the shoulder is characterized by sore, swollen or red shoulder tendons. This inflammation is often traced back to impingement problems.  Bursitis is a condition that describes when one or more bursa–small pads that are filled with fluid which sit between muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons–become inflamed. Without these bursae cushions, moving any joint would be excruciatingly painful as these bands would all rub together. Inflammation of the bursa sacks mean that joint movements are quite uncomfortable. Tendinitis and bursitis are sometimes caused by disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but more frequently these forms of inflammation are a result of sports, hobbies, or employment that causes overuse of and frequent overhead reaching. Bursitis and tendinitis may occur alone or simultaneously. Treatment for these conditions includes:

• Rest
• Ice
• Anti-inflammatory pain medications or injections to reduce pain and swelling
• Ultrasound (gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and boost blood flow
• Gentle stretching and exercises strength building
• Injection of corticosteroid if the shoulder does not improve

Arthritis

Because of the frequent use of the shoulder joints, tendons and muscles, it is not uncommon that, overtime, some patients will develop arthritis (or osteoarthritis) of the shoulder.  This degenerative disorder hits joints hard–most commonly the knee, hip, and fingers, but the shoulder is not exempt. For some, just normal everyday use overtime can create enough wear and tear to damage the joint.  Others weaken the joint because of aggressive activities from either work or sports that use repetitive motions combined with excessive force.  Athletic activities that put you at most risk for injury to the shoulder are those that involve heavy, repetitive, overhead motions, such as:  swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting. However, everyday activities can cause shoulder issues as well such as:  washing walls, hanging curtains, and gardening.

Fractures

Some shoulder pain is a result of a broken bone (fracture).  The most common shoulder fractures are with the clavicle (collarbone), humerus (upper arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade).  Most younger patients incur shoulder fractures from sports or motor vehicle accidents. Older patients can experience a shoulder fracture if they fall from a standing height or receive a strong blow to the shoulder.  Shoulder pain that stems from a fracture cause severe pain, swelling, and bruising about the shoulder.

Call for a Shoulder Pain Consultation

Don’t delay treating shoulder pain when it hits. Acting fast can save you from serious injury and prevent serious injuries from becoming surgical cases. Our expert team can provide you with a thorough evaluation in our Austin clinic, to establish an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.  Texas Spine & Sports Therapy Center provides you with the team approach you need to get to your desired goals safely and efficiently.  Conveniently Located Near Seton Hospital on 38th Street in Austin, Texas, our team of multidisciplinary providers are trained and skilled at providing you the pain relief you seek. Call us at (512) 806-0015 today to make an appointment.